44 comments:

It figures that you're both British. Shouldn't you be focused on more important things? Like attempting to oppress Northern Ireland or doing something other than other than paying attention to your dental hygiene? I hope the I.R.A. bombs the both of you into oblivion. Idiots.

I adore all of your artsy letters and postcards. Very very inspirational! I love it! And it has inspired my friend and I to write letters, like yours', to each other through our new blog. 8DD Have a good day.

For those of you geniuses who haven't realized it, "Polish Hill" is an area in Pittsburgh full of Poles, Many of whom spent time in concentration camps. These letters have frightened and disturbed many residents in the area. This is a stupid project and is, technically, mail fraud. Thus illegal. Morons.

I love your idea, and I'm excited that you've chosen Pittsburgh, my home, as your second location and that Lenka has moved here. I'm only disappointed that my apartment is not in Polish Hill. Here's hoping that another Pittsburgh neighborhood is coming up!

we really need more people in the world like you two! People who are willing to bring our society closer one step (or letter) at a time. Keep up the good work!!!!p.s. don't forget about Huntington Beach, CA!:)

It is such a unique thing that you two are doing. In this day, people are more content to hide in their abodes and not mingle and get to know their neighbors. I think you have brought a small piece of Pittsburgh and the world together with your project. Thank you for putting yourselves out on a limb. By the way, send some to Copperas Cove, Texas, U.S.A.

This is a very cool idea! I'm sorry that some took offense to it, but I think it has not only helped people grow closer, but also realize that "snail mail" is a lot more intimate than a quick e-mail. Keep it up Michael and Lenka! I'm in Dearborn Heights, MI when you get to it.

YOU GUYS SHOULD WRITE TO YHE PEOPLE IN MY TOWN HERE! IT WOULD BE CRAZY! I LIVE IN CHALK RIVER, ONTARIO, CANADA... it's a small town with a nuclear plant and a lot of canadian forces personnel here. it would be awesome if you could make a stir here..

This is so awesome! It may be a little creepy at first but knowing that it's an art project I feel that it isn't a waste of time. You guys are actually bringing people together! I wish I could get one I live in FL XD

Wow, some people just enjoy being out and out rude about anything... please ignore them. I hope that sooner than later, you'll put the Montrose neighborhood of Houston (77006 zip code) on your list... I would love to get a letter, as would a lot of residents. We love nothing more than art in Montrose, our elderly people are less likely to be afraid, and best of all, we are pretty much twit-free around here!

This is a very clever project and it seems to be inspired by kindness. I am sorry for those who felt afraid. I hope they have been reassured that it is meant in the spirit of sharing. I would love to see your responses from the people who received your lovely letters. Or will that be another project? Thanks for sharing.

A long time ago, while living in Niagara Falls, NY, around 1990? I received a black postcard that seemed rather nonsensical. It had a stamp of young elvis and someone had drawn a white skeleton to match his body. I don't remember most of the nonsense it said except that it said, "Have you ever been to Alfred?" (Which is another town in NY.) The handwriting and style bear a striking resemblance to your letters here. Any chance this was your handiwork?

I absolutely love this art project. I've read almost every letter on this blog, and with each one, I imagined myself receiveing the letter and what I'd think/feel/wonder about. And I imagine that was what your intent was, or at least partially. I've also read several of the comments on here, some claiming that it's not an art project, but I beg to differ... art evokes all sorts of emotions from people. One person may feel energized by a painting, while another may be quite annoyed by the same piece of art. For me, it has brought out the feeling of being loved, thought of, and how I hope others feel when they receive a letter or card from me (because I do still send them to my friends). The intent wasn't to harm people, surely; rather, to see what happens when an entire neighborhood receives a letter from a stranger on the same day. I think it's a lovely idea, and I hope that it inspires people to write letters and cards (either to people they do know, or to mimic your idea). It's a lost art... perhaps that's the "irony" of it.

the person who said you failed at art obviously doesn't understand art! I love this Idea and I would be touched to receive a letter from someone I didn't know! You guys are great keep up the good works!!!

I love this idea. I wonder how mysterious it will be now that this is circulating on the web. Still, the work you are doing is quite beautiful. I hope you share the beauty with my little, rural Alaskan town soon! :-)

I was lucky enough to receive one of your letters. It was an amazing thing to to and has brought a smile to my day. I only moved to Polish Hill 2 months ago, and it is great to be part of this project. Since you wrote me, I thought I would write back a bit. You mentioned Anton Babinski syndrome in your post-card. Ironically, one of the doctor's who named it has the same name as me - Gabriel Anton. Anyways, I am not sure what your interests are, but I hope that you are both having a great holiday season. Please feel free to write me back, and if you are ever in the pittsburgh area, feel free to get a hold of me and I can give you a tour of some amazing places.

Mysterious Letters

We intend to write to everyone in the world..

In April 2009, we sent a personal, handwritten letter to each of the 467 households in the small Irish village of Cushendall. We hoped these unsolicited letters would prompt neighbourly discussion, spreading across the town, promoting community curiosity.

In November 2009, we sent another bundle of letters, this time 620, to each home in Polish Hill, Pittsburgh, USA.

The art work consists solely of the discussion between the recipients about what on Earth these letters are, who sent them and why, etc.